This manual provides an overview of global marine and coastal datasets of biodiversity importance, in order to address the fragmented information and guidance available to users of marine data. The 2nd edition of the manual identifies 128 marine and coastal datasets (Annex 2) of biodiversity importance. It also includes 69 detailed and standardised metadata sheets (Annex 3) providing information required to use these datasets effectively. The various challenges, gaps and limitations which can be presented by coastal and marine data are also discussed.

WDPA Marine and coastal reclassification

As of March 2015, the 'MARINE' field in the WDPA accepts three values to better identify terrestrial, coastal and marine protected areas: o (site is entirely terrestrial), 1 (site is both marine and terrestrial) and 2 (site is entirely marine). These values have been attributed based on a spatial analysis, selecting sites which stretch across the marine and terrestrial realm. This technical briefing note describes the reclassification approach, and definitions users for protected areas identified as terrestrial, coastal and marine.